Restless Farewell

Restless Farewell Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Oh all the money that in my whole life I did spend
Be it mine right or wrongfully
I let it slip gladly to my friends
To tie up the time most forcefully
But the bottles are done
We’ve killed each one
And the table’s full and overflowed
And the corner sign
Says it’s closing time
So I’ll bid farewell and be down the road

[Verse 2]
Oh every girl that ever I’ve touched
I did not do it harmfully
And every girl that ever I’ve hurt
I did not do it knowingly
But to remain as friends
You need the time to make amends
And stay behind
And since my feet are now fast
And point away from the past
I’ll bid farewell and be down the line

[Verse 3]
Oh every foe that ever I faced
The because was there before we came
And every cause that ever I fought
I fought it full without regret or shame
But the dark does die
As the curtain is drawn and somebody’s eyes
Must meet the dawn
And if I see the day
I’d only have to stay
So I’ll bid farewell in the night and be gone

[Verse 4]
Oh, every thought that’s strung a knot in my mind
I might go insane if it couldn’t be sprung
But it’s not to stand naked under unknowing eyes
It’s for myself and my friends my stories are sung
But the time ain’t tall, if on time you depend
And no word is possessed by no special friend
And though the line is cut
It ain’t quite the end
I’ll just bid farewell till we meet again

About “Restless Farewell”

It’s fitting that the final track on Times They Are A-Changin' adapts a farewell-song tradition.

Many of Dylan’s melodies from this period were based on Irish folk songs popularized during his time by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Restless Farewell closely follows the example of a classic that dates back at least to the 1770’s, The Parting Glass, traditionally heard as a goodbye song at the end of concerts or gatherings.